The Connection

The Weekly Newsletter of IACS-MS

 

From the Principal

 

November 6th, 2009

 

Dear Families:

 

The final days of quarter one are here.  Next Friday, November 13^th, is the last day of the quarter.  This means that next week is a final opportunity for students to complete work and make revisions to work for the first quarter.  Please take some time with your student to discuss the importance of a strong finish to the quarter.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Kathleen Seward

 

 

News and Happenings

 

IACS Gear is Here:

Dress cozy in our new IACS gear. IACS sweatshirts and sweatpants are now available! See the attached IACS gear order form.

 

High School Information Session:

All eighth grade families are invited to attend the High School Information Session on November 12th.  This event runs from 6:00 – 8:00 in the evening and will provide 8th grade families with valuable information about Innovation Academy High School.  Feel free to refer/ invite families from other schools who are interested in exploring Innovation Academy as a high school option.  Contact our Director of Admissions, Kathleen Feeney, kfeeney@innovationcharter.org, with any questions.

 

Are You Looking for a Way to Help out at IACS?

Get trained to be a substitute teacher.  We will be holding a third training session for parents/guardians who are interested in learning more about becoming a substitute teacher at IACS-MS. Parents and guardians have the choice of being paid for substituting or to use these hours as part of the expected volunteer commitment.  The training session will be held on November 19^th from 9:00-10:00 am.  Please email Kathleen Seward if you plan to attend. 

 

 Come on, the Contest has Already Started!

Coats for Kids wants you to donate coats to help people in need, both kids and adults.  It is a contest with other middle and elementary schools.  The drive begins immediately and ends on January 9, 2010.  There are prizes for the winning school, too.  One of the prizes last year was tickets to the IMAX Theater.  The coats will be cleaned by Anton’s Cleaners.  Please donate winter coats with no rips, holes, tears or stains.  Donations can be put on the coat rack that is located on the second floor of the middle school in front of the teachers’ mailboxes. If you have any questions, be sure to speak to a member of HB Edelman. Thank you for your donations!    

 

High School Service Culture Committee:
We are reaching out to our community of parents for an upcoming Service Day on February 25, 2009. We would love all suggestions or and support to help us make this day a success.

What we need:
•    A keynote speaker –someone who is involved in non-profit service based work.
•    At least 6-10 places where groups of our high school students can volunteer and therefore also establish long-term relationships for further service opportunities in the Greater Lowell area.
•    Parent chaperones
•    A panel of people who have done long-term service projects. Ideally, we would love the panel to be a combination of teaching staff and parents

If you are interested in helping us make this day a success, please contact Ryan Ferdinand (rferdinand@innovationcharter.org), Oliver Renau (orenau@innovationcharter.org) or Emily Porter (eporter@innovationcharter.org). Thank you!

 

Holiday Gift Cards:

IACA is happy to announce the gift cards are back! Gift cards are sold at face value (no additional cost to you) and IACA receives a percentage of sales from the retailers. Categories include: Books & Music, Clothing & Accessories, Department Stores, Electronic & Office, Gas, Restaurants, Travel, Sporting Goods, Online & Catalog, Children & Teens, Grocery, Home Décor, Health & Beauty, Home Improvement, Specialty Stores and many more! With us you can do all your shopping at once and save you many trips to the mall! Please see the attached flyer and order form for information on this terrific program. If you would like to see a complete list of hundreds of available retailers – please visit glscrip.com. If you have any questions, please contact Nichole Young at nyoung@innovationcharter.com You can place as many orders as you need. Family and friends are welcome to order too. Thank you for your support and happy shopping!

 Program dates:

Order by Wednesday, November 11th - receive Wednesday, November 25th

Order by Wednesday, November 18th - receive Friday, December 4th

Order by Wednesday, December 2nd - receive Friday, December 18th

 

Movie Night: Friday, November 13^th from 6:00-8:00 is movie night at IACS. We will be viewing The Princess Bride.  Admission is $5.00, and the doors will open at 5:30.  There will be snacks on sale.  This event will support the girl’s basketball team. 

 

Quarter 1 comes to a close: Quarter 1 ends Friday, November 13^th.  First quarter assessments will be sent home with students on November 25^th. 

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IACA Roller Skating Party!!

Nov 17th (Early Release Day) 1:00-3:00 @ Roller Kingdom - Tyngsboro

Join your friends and family for a fun skating event! Admission is $6.00. Skates are available for rental ($3) or you can bring your own.  Hope to see you there!

Please click on the attachment below to view the flyer.   We hope you will consider joining us not only for a fun filled afternoon but as a way to raise funds for the IACS enrichment programs.  

 

 

IACA – Game Day Tailgate Party!!

Nov 8th Parking Lot Opens at 11:00am

Bring your WHOLE family for a tailgating party at the IACS school parking lot!  Pack your chairs, grills, footballs, soccer balls, radios, Frisbees and even your grandparents and join the fun! Grill your own food or let us cook for you!  At kickoff, everyone is invited to watch the game in the school auditorium on the BIG screen. This is a great opportunity to meet other IACA families and to hang out with our students. Volunteers are needed – please contact Janet Morris @ janetmorris1@comcast.net 

 

Athletics Information:

For all new and updated information regarding athletics, please refer to our Athletics webpage.

 

Student Services PAC meeting: Thursday November 12th 6:30-7:30 pm in the Student Services Conference Room.  The PAC purpose is to ensure that children with special needs in our school have the best school experience possible. It is about sharing information, ideas, resources and energy among school personnel and families with and without special needs children.

 

Food Drive

 The Community Volunteering High School Choice Block is conducting a food drive throughout the month of November and will be sending the donated goods to the Merrimack Valley Food Pantry, where we have been volunteering. Each week in November is dedicated to a different type of item

2nd - 6th: Canned or Boxed Food

9th - 13th: Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, diapers, shampoo, soap, etc.)

16th - 20th: Thanksgiving Related Items (stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie mix, gravy, etc.)

*We will accept any non-perishable food during any of the weeks above.

 

Exciting Opportunity: The IACS development team is looking for a parent or community volunteer to help lead the development, coordination, printing and maintenance of a quarterly magazine/newsletter on all things Innovation Academy.  The magazine will be sent out to family members and a wider circle of community members (external funders and partners, grandparents/parents, alumni, etc.) and will assist us in our efforts to spread the word about the excellent work that is being done at Innovation Academy.  Ideally, the individual will have experience working with Quark XPress or a similar magazine layout program and will have experience putting together similar publications.  We are also looking for writers and individuals willing to serve as the photographer for the magazine.  Anyone interested in helping to lead this and or get involved, should contact Walter Landberg, Executive Director at wlandberg@innovationcharter.org or 978-649-0432 x2217

Morning Drop-Off: Students can be dropped off at the school beginning at 7:40 each morning.  There is no supervision before this time, and students will not be allowed into the building before 7:40.  Please help us keep students safe and supervised by honoring this drop-off time. 

Box Tops - HOMEBASE for the HOLIDAYS:THANKS to all who submitted Box Tops already this year! Our first submission has been sent and we expect a check for $262.50! (Yes - that's 2600 Box Tops and 5 Bonus Box Tops.)  Prizes have been placed in homebase mailboxes for distribution to students who participated in this individual contest. I've heard from several folks who were waiting for a HOMEBASE (or Advisory) Contest - SO HERE IT IS!  Box Tops HOMEBASE for the HOLIDAYS collection is ON!  Be sure to include your HOMEBASE (or Advisory) NAME with all Submissions in November and December.  On December 18th, we'll tally up the totals and award a HOLIDAY TREAT to the HOMEBASE and the ADVISORY who collected the MOST.  Bragging rights and homebase spirit are ON THE LINE!  A collection box is located on the table by the door just inside the cafeteria. Planning on doing any ONLINE SHOPPING for the Holidays???  PLEASE Register at BTFE.COM to support Innovation Academy and then start your shopping there.  A portion of purchases from participating merchants will be AUTOMATICALLY added to our funds.  No coupons to clip, submission forms to send, or receipts to track.  Just register and then start your shopping from BTFE and you'll be supporting the school in a BIG WAY!

Happy Holidays from your Box Tops Coordinator!

Kate Conran

978-244-1244

kateconran@hotmail.com

 

HIGH SCHOOL PLAY ADDS A MATINEE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5!

Due to high demand, the high school play "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will add a third performance!  The show dates and times are Friday, December 4 at 7:00pm, and Saturday, December 5 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm. You and your family will not want to miss this hilarious romp through the forest with some unusual characters...including a Michael Jackson impersonator, a Ghostbuster and Joe the Plumber !  Please see the attached ticket order form for information! 

 

Do you know someone in the high school play cast or crew?  Do you own a business or know someone who does?  Do you have a message you want to share with hundreds of people?  If so, considering buying space in the "Midsummer" program!  You can purchase one line in the program for only $2!  Or, you can buy a whole page and say whatever you wish!  Please see the attached advertisement order form! 

 

Fairies, lovers, royalty and peasants need YOU!  Adults - please consider volunteering to help with the high school play!  Please email rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org. Thank you! 

 

We need your hangers and plastic shopping bags!  Please consider donating these to the play!  Email rhawthorne@innovationcharter.org for information!  Thank you!